I work for the Department of Corrections as a non peace officer and got the confidential license plates through the DMV. You have to reapply when you get a new car. My question is is it really necessary? Can somebody easily find my info without it in place if they aren't LEO?

Put your name/address in google and see what pops up. If nothing does then it would be a good idea to complete confidentiality again. But if your address and picture of your house pops up like 99% of us, let sleeping dogs lie.

__________________
"But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior’s path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door."
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

When I go to the DMV or AAA, the worker always has to ask me for my DL because they say they can't pull up my info on the screen... wonder if they just want to verify my address so they can sell the info to the gangs?

Sorry to thread jack, but what are you guys talking about by confidential license plates? Im going into the academy in January and I've never heard anything like this. Would this be something I should do when I graduate?

If someone wants to find you, they will find you. Confidential plates are overrated and provide a false sense of security. Just be aware of vehicles when you drive home and don't be a creature of habit.

Sorry to thread jack, but what are you guys talking about by confidential license plates? Im going into the academy in January and I've never heard anything like this. Would this be something I should do when I graduate?

__________________
Disclaimer:I am not a lawyer. Nothing in my posts should be considered legal advice.

I do try to be aware of my surroundings but cars following you home could be and most likely is coworkers that are also going home. I'm not concerned with the time it takes to fill out the form. Mostly just wondering if it really matters. The times I went to the DMV I had to give them my license or paper filled out with my address so they have it anyway.

Put your name/address in google and see what pops up. If nothing does then it would be a good idea to complete confidentiality again. But if your address and picture of your house pops up like 99% of us, let sleeping dogs lie.

X2, Pepole, some LEO's, put way too much personal info on the web through social sites. There are several cites that block your info on the web if you are a LEO. Google your info periodically.

For the amount of effort involved, the piece of mind is well worth it. I live in the same town in which I work as well as the same location of the regional DMV office so for my purposes, the likelihood of someone being related to or knowing an employee who may work there is much greater.

Also I had asked a collegue of mine the same question and he had said, which I can't confirm independently, that it is, or what legal at one time to go into the DMV and request the public record information on file about anyone. With a DMV confidentiality agreement, a person who wants to do this, will receive no information.

For the amount of effort involved, the piece of mind is well worth it. I live in the same town in which I work as well as the same location of the regional DMV office so for my purposes, the likelihood of someone being related to or knowing an employee who may work there is much greater.

Also I had asked a collegue of mine the same question and he had said, which I can't confirm independently, that it is, or what legal at one time to go into the DMV and request the public record information on file about anyone. With a DMV confidentiality agreement, a person who wants to do this, will receive no information.

It used to be like that but the laws changed and John Q. Public can't just walk into the DMV to ask for info. Now it's only LE and insurance companies that can request info on people through the DMV... and not sure about any other exempted parties who can retrieve info legally.

If you'r a peace officer, judge etc. you can have your voter registration made confidential. Then the mail will go to your mailing address. Your real address will not appear on commercial walk lists or the roster at the polling place. You will be a permanent absentee voter. Of course if you own any real property in your name you can be found.

Unfortunately, There is quite a number of permissible request reasons, listed on DMV form INF70
An employer, or business that may have a need to verify an address that was claimed, which sounds like any place you might apply to work
Any creditor
Insurance

There used to be a time when anyone could walk into the DMV, pay $1, and give a license number and get the full address of the owner. Heck I remember registrations having to be attached to the top of the steering column for easy reading.

Getting your info from a license plate is not that easy any more. While some go through the effort to hide their plate, do you also not leave ANYTHING out in the car with information on it? Mail? Dry cleaning receipts? Papers from work? Kid's homework? Do you pay cash where ever you go? (I'll be in line behind you and when you leave I will say that 'we' need a duplicate receipt, or I offer to pay your bill if they cancel yours, and give me a receipt). Do you make small talk with the barber? Do you park your car in a garage so no one can find it on a street?

I think getting a confidential plate will give many people a false sense of security!

__________________"If Jesus had a gun he would be alive today"-Homer Simpson

I do try to be aware of my surroundings but cars following you home could be and most likely is coworkers that are also going home.

You could also take a different route home every day. If you think someone is following you then make a few oddball turns or get off then right back on the freeway. The confidentiality is just an additional tool to use.

Anyone know where to order the form? Or have a PDF copy? We ran out (or can't find them) and I'm in charge of our paperwork...but don't know how to get more.

Go to DMV's website under forms there is a phone number to order large quantities of forms. Call them and ask them to send the form order information for le forms to your department. It comes from the same place 180's and dui paper work comes from.

Confidential license plates will not stop those who wants to harm you. It's a feel good measure but burn all illusions: you are not safe. It's easy to obtain the info online.
The best thing for you is do your job right, don't step on anyone's toes at work and keep your mouth shut at all times.

One thing I told recruits is to NOT use the confidential plates / CDL without thinking it through. Badguys can easily access DMV info. If they run your plate and it comes up confidential, they pretty much have confirmed it is your car. Instead, reg it in a family member's name, etc. and use a PO BOX. New USPS regs allow you to use the street address of the PO in lieu of PO BOX, so PO BOX 234, Anytown, CA now can be 789 Maple St. (the P.O.'s st. address), # 234, Anytown, CA.

Another benefit is if you are in a POV off duty crash. You are not required to declare where you work as you exchange required info after a minor fender bender. The other driver's insurance co. will run your plate pro forma. If it comes back LE, sometimes it changes the attitude of the other side and the dynamics.

Most of the recruits wanted to do the confidential not so much for confidentiality, but they felt that if they were about to get pulled over the officers making the stop would run the plate, have if come back as LE confidential, declare, "My gosh, it's a brother in blue, we can't cite HIM!" then drive by with a wave and a big smile. Right. :-) Rookies.

Go to DMV's website under forms there is a phone number to order large quantities of forms. Call them and ask them to send the form order information for le forms to your department. It comes from the same place 180's and dui paper work comes from.

Sweet, thanks. Both of those I got from existing stock at other agencies. Now I know.